Australia
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Economic impact
- Policies
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7.5/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *7.5/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
National Obesity Strategy
Nutritional or Health Strategy
Marketing
Physical Activity
Tax/Subsidies on Food or Beverages
Community Interventions
Labelling
NCD Strategy
Health Effectiveness Reviews
Multidisciplinary Intervention
Management or treatment guidelines
Non-national strategies
Breastfeeding
Obesity Target
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Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 21000 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 (provisional results). http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~About%20the%20National%20Health%20Survey~5 (accessed 12.12.18) |
Notes: | Around 32% of those measured in 2017 did not have height & weight measured, they used self report |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 14561 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017) |
Notes: | Body Mass Index is derived from measured height and weight. In 2014-15, 26.8% of respondents aged 18 years and over did not have their height, weight or both measured. For these respondents, imputation was used to obtain height, weight and BMI scores. For more information see Appendix 2: Physical measurements in the National Health Survey, see link in referencde |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 9019 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. Australian Health Survey 2011-12. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129550538 |
Notes: | Check original to confirm sample size, 9019 is understood to be the sample size More recent data for combined Overweight & Obesity available at Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2007-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15+ |
Sample size: | 11247 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Health Survey: Summary of Results 2009 (4364). Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2007-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 16601 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). National Health Survey: Summary of results. Canberra, Australia, ABS, 2009. WHO Global InfoBase reference:102910 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1999-2000
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25-84 |
Sample size: | 11247 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Cameron, A.J., Welborn, A.T., Zimmet, P.Z., Dunstan, D.W., Owen, N., Salmon, J., Dalton, M., Jolley, D. and Shaw, J.E. Overweight and obesity in Australia:the 1999 - 2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab). Med J Aust 2003 5;178 (9), 427 - 432. PubMed ID: 12720507 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1980
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25-64 |
References: | Bennett SA, Magnus P (on behalf of the Risk Factor Prevalence Study Management Committee of the National Heart Foundation of Australia). Trends in cardiovascular risk factors in Australia. Results from the National heart Foundation’s Risk Factor Prevalence Study, 1980-1989, the Medical Journal of Australia 1994;161:519-527 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 02.10.2020) |
Notes: | Approximately 43% of those measured in 2017 did not have height & weight measured, self-report was used instead |
Definitions: | Cut off: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM and Dietz WH, Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey, BMJ 2000; 320. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 4033 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 7-17 |
Sample size: | 12869 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | O'Dea JA, Dibley MJ. Prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012. International Journal of Public Health October 2014, Volume 59, Issue 5, pp 819-828 |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off point Age range approximate uses children from School Year 3-10 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2007
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-16 |
Sample size: | 4487 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2007 - Main Findings. Australian Government, Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australian Government Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2003-2004
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-11 |
Sample size: | 2184 |
Area covered: | Regional |
References: | Sanigorski AM, Bell AC, Kremer PJ, Swinburn BA. High Childhood Obesity in an Australian Population. Obesity 2007;15:1908-1912 |
Notes: | IOTF International Cut off points applied. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1997
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 7-15 |
Sample size: | 5518 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Booth ML, Dobbins T, Okely D, Denney-Wilson E and Hardy LL. 2007. Trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among young Australians, 1985, 1997 and 2004. Obesity, 15 (5): 1089 - 1095. |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. Sample size includes children aged 13-15yrs |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1997
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 10+ |
Sample size: | 452 |
References: | Bellizzi MC, Horgan GW, Guillaume M, Dietz WH. Prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity in Asian and European countries. In: Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence. Editors: Chunming Chen, William H. Dietz. Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series Pediatric Program. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2002. |
Notes: | IOTF International Cut off points applied |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1995
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 7-11 |
Sample size: | 2962 |
References: | Magarey AM, Daniels LA, Boulton TJC. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents: reassesment of 1985 and 1995 data against new standard international definitions. MJA 2001;174:561-564 |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1985
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 7-11 |
Sample size: | 8492 |
References: | Magarey AM, Daniels LA, Boulton TJC. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents: reassesment of 1985 and 1995 data against new standard international definitions. MJA 2001;174:561-564 |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity, 2007-2018
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2007: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). National Health Survey: Summary of results. Canberra, Australia, ABS, 2009. WHO Global InfoBase reference:102910 2011: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. Australian Health Survey 2011-12. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129550538 2014: Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017) 2017: Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 (provisional results). http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~About%20the%20National%20Health%20Survey~5 (accessed 12.12.18) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2007: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). National Health Survey: Summary of results. Canberra, Australia, ABS, 2009. WHO Global InfoBase reference:102910 2011: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. Australian Health Survey 2011-12. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129550538 2014: Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017) 2017: Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 (provisional results). http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~About%20the%20National%20Health%20Survey~5 (accessed 12.12.18) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 2007-2018
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2007: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). National Health Survey: Summary of results. Canberra, Australia, ABS, 2009. WHO Global InfoBase reference:102910 2011: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. Australian Health Survey 2011-12. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129550538 2014: Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017) 2017: Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 (provisional results). http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~About%20the%20National%20Health%20Survey~5 (accessed 12.12.18) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2007: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). National Health Survey: Summary of results. Canberra, Australia, ABS, 2009. WHO Global InfoBase reference:102910 2011: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. Australian Health Survey 2011-12. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129550538 2014: Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017) 2017: Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 (provisional results). http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-18~Main%20Features~About%20the%20National%20Health%20Survey~5 (accessed 12.12.18) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Children living with overweight or obesity, 1997-2018
Boys
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1997: Booth ML, Dobbins T, Okely D, Denney-Wilson E and Hardy LL. 2007. Trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among young Australians, 1985, 1997 and 2004. Obesity, 15 (5): 1089 - 1095. 2012: O'Dea JA, Dibley MJ. Prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012. International Journal of Public Health October 2014, Volume 59, Issue 5, pp 819-828 2014: Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) 2017: Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 02.10.2020) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Girls
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1997: Booth ML, Dobbins T, Okely D, Denney-Wilson E and Hardy LL. 2007. Trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among young Australians, 1985, 1997 and 2004. Obesity, 15 (5): 1089 - 1095. 2012: O'Dea JA, Dibley MJ. Prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012. International Journal of Public Health October 2014, Volume 59, Issue 5, pp 819-828 2014: Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) 2017: Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 02.10.2020) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with obesity, selected countries, 1976-2019
Men
References: | 1976, 1981, 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1993: Solon FS. Nutrition related chronic diseases in the Philippines. Makati city, Philippines: Nutrition Center of the Philippines Report Series, vol 2, No.1, cited in Reference 53 1995, 1996: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1998: Data provided by the Philippean Depatment of Health, Dr C. Barbu, data reanalysed by Dr Charmaine Duante. 2000: Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region. Obesity Reviews 2007;8:191-196. 2001: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2002: Report of the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. 2004. (In Chinese). Chinese Ministry of Public Health (CMPH). 2003: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf (last accessed June 14th 2011) 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2005, 2013: Chang HC, Yang HC, Chang HY, et al. Morbid obesity in Taiwan: Prevalence, trends, associated social demographics, and lifestyle factors. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0169577. Published 2017 Feb 2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169577 2006: Gerritsen S, Stefanogiannis N, Galloway Y, Devlin M, Templaton R and Yeh L. A portrait of health: key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. 2007: Mohamud WN, Musa KI, Khir AS, Ismail AA, Ismail IS, Kadir KA, Kamaruddin NA, Yaacob NA, Mustafa N, Ali O, Isa SH, Bebakar WM.Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(1):35-41. 2009: Yan, S., Li, J., Li, S., Zhang, B., Du, S., Gordon-Larsen, P., Adair, L. and Popkin, B. (2012), The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01016.x 2011, 2012: New Zealand Health Survey. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2018-19-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 14.07.20) 2014: New Zealand Health Survey 2014/15. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2014-15-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 16.12.2015) 2015: 2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf 2016: Ministry of Health. 2018. Annual Data Explorer 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey [Data File]. URL: https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2017-18-annual-data-explorer/(last accessed 14th December 2017) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20) 2018: New Zealand Health Survey 2018-19. New Zealand Ministry of Health (https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2018-19-annual-data-explorer/_w_b396d161/#!/key-indicators accessed 14.11.19) 2019: Institute for Public Health (IPH), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2020. National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019: Vol. I: NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases: Risk Factors and other Health Problems |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
References: | 1976, 1981, 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1993: Solon FS. Nutrition related chronic diseases in the Philippines. Makati city, Philippines: Nutrition Center of the Philippines Report Series, vol 2, No.1, cited in Reference 53 1995, 1996: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1998: Data provided by the Philippean Depatment of Health, Dr C. Barbu, data reanalysed by Dr Charmaine Duante. 2000: Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region. Obesity Reviews 2007;8:191-196. 2001: SCN (2004). 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation. Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. Appendix 11 2002: Report of the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. 2004. (In Chinese). Chinese Ministry of Public Health (CMPH). 2003: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf (last accessed June 14th 2011) 2004: Tonga STEPS Survey 2004 2005, 2013: Chang HC, Yang HC, Chang HY, et al. Morbid obesity in Taiwan: Prevalence, trends, associated social demographics, and lifestyle factors. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0169577. Published 2017 Feb 2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169577 2006: Gerritsen S, Stefanogiannis N, Galloway Y, Devlin M, Templaton R and Yeh L. A portrait of health: key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. 2007: Mohamud WN, Musa KI, Khir AS, Ismail AA, Ismail IS, Kadir KA, Kamaruddin NA, Yaacob NA, Mustafa N, Ali O, Isa SH, Bebakar WM.Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(1):35-41. 2009: Yan, S., Li, J., Li, S., Zhang, B., Du, S., Gordon-Larsen, P., Adair, L. and Popkin, B. (2012), The expanding burden of cardiometabolic risk in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01016.x 2011, 2012: New Zealand Health Survey. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2018-19-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 14.07.20) 2014: New Zealand Health Survey 2014/15. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2014-15-new-zealand-health-survey (last accessed 16.12.2015) 2015: 2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf 2016: Ministry of Health. 2018. Annual Data Explorer 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey [Data File]. URL: https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2017-18-annual-data-explorer/(last accessed 14th December 2017) 2017: Tonga STEPS Survey 2017 https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/713 (Last accessed 13.10.20) 2018: New Zealand Health Survey 2018-19. New Zealand Ministry of Health (https://minhealthnz.shinyapps.io/nz-health-survey-2018-19-annual-data-explorer/_w_b396d161/#!/key-indicators accessed 14.11.19) 2019: Institute for Public Health (IPH), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2020. National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019: Vol. I: NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases: Risk Factors and other Health Problems |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with obesity, selected countries, 1960-2019
Men
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1981: Royal College of Physicians (1983). Obesity. Reprinted from the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London Vol 17 (No 1) January 1983 1982: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A, Esquivel M. The nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties:an overview. Public health Nutrition 2002:5(1A), 129-133 1985: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 Aug;29(8):916-24 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1988: Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604 1990: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 online published ahead of print. 1992: Uauy R, Albal C, Kain J. Obesity Trends in Latin America: Transiting from Under-to Overweight. Journal of Nutrition 2001;131:S893-S899 1993: Health Survey for England 1993. 1995: Health Survey for England 1995. 1996: Health Survey for England 1996. 1997: Health Survey for England 1997. 1998: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A and Esquivel M. (2002). The Nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties: an overview. Public Health Nutrition, 5 (1A): 129 - 133. 1999: Health Survey for England 1999. 2000: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2001: Health Survey for England 2001. 2002: Berg C, Rosengeren A, Aires N, Lappas G, Toren K, Thelle D and Lissner L. (2005). Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO, 29 (8): 916 - 924. 2003: Health Survey for England 2003. 2004: Health Survey for England 2004. 2005: Health Survey for England 2005. 2006: Health Survey for England 2006. 2007: Craig R and Shelton N. (2008). Health Survey for England 2007. Healthy Lifestyles: Knowledge, attitudes and Behaviour. Volume 1. The NHS Information Centre, Leeds. 2008: Health Survey for England 2008. 2009: Health Survey for England 2009 2010: Health Survey for England 2010 2011: Health Survey for England 2011 (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=10152&returnid=1685 last accessed 7th January 2013) 2012: Health survey for England 2012 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13219 2013: Health Survey for England 2013 2014: Health Survey for England 2014 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB19297 (last accessed 16th December 2015) 2015: Health Survey for England 2015. Available at: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=23711&returnid=1685 (last accessed 14th December 2016) 2016: Health Survey for England 2016. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30169 (last accessed 13 December 2017) 2017: Health Survey for England 2017 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 (last accessed 4.12.18) 2018: Health Survey for England 2018. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2018/health-survey-for-england-2018-data-tables (last accessed 03.012.19) 2019: Pesquisa nacional de saúde : 2019 : ciclos de vida : Brasil / IBGE, Coordenação de Trabalho e Rendimento. - Rio de Janeiro : IBGE, 2021. Available at https://www.ibge.gov.br/en/statistics/social/health/16840-national-survey-of-health.html?=&t=resultados (last accessed 04.04.23) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1981: Royal College of Physicians (1983). Obesity. Reprinted from the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London Vol 17 (No 1) January 1983 1982: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A, Esquivel M. The nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties:an overview. Public health Nutrition 2002:5(1A), 129-133 1985: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 Aug;29(8):916-24 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1988: Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604 1990: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 online published ahead of print. 1992: Uauy R, Albal C, Kain J. Obesity Trends in Latin America: Transiting from Under-to Overweight. Journal of Nutrition 2001;131:S893-S899 1993: Health Survey for England 1993. 1995: Health Survey for England 1995. 1996: Health Survey for England 1996. 1997: Health Survey for England 1997. 1998: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A and Esquivel M. (2002). The Nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties: an overview. Public Health Nutrition, 5 (1A): 129 - 133. 1999: Health Survey for England 1999. 2000: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2001: Health Survey for England 2001. 2002: Berg C, Rosengeren A, Aires N, Lappas G, Toren K, Thelle D and Lissner L. (2005). Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO, 29 (8): 916 - 924. 2003: Health Survey for England 2003. 2004: Health Survey for England 2004. 2005: Health Survey for England 2005. 2006: Health Survey for England 2006. 2007: Craig R and Shelton N. (2008). Health Survey for England 2007. Healthy Lifestyles: Knowledge, attitudes and Behaviour. Volume 1. The NHS Information Centre, Leeds. 2008: Health Survey for England 2008. 2009: Health Survey for England 2009 2010: Health Survey for England 2010 2011: Health Survey for England 2011 (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=10152&returnid=1685 last accessed 7th January 2013) 2012: Health survey for England 2012 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13219 2013: Health Survey for England 2013 2014: Health Survey for England 2014 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB19297 (last accessed 16th December 2015) 2015: Health Survey for England 2015. Available at: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=23711&returnid=1685 (last accessed 14th December 2016) 2016: Health Survey for England 2016. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30169 (last accessed 13 December 2017) 2017: Health Survey for England 2017 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 (last accessed 4.12.18) 2018: Health Survey for England 2018. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2018/health-survey-for-england-2018-data-tables (last accessed 03.012.19) 2019: Pesquisa nacional de saúde : 2019 : ciclos de vida : Brasil / IBGE, Coordenação de Trabalho e Rendimento. - Rio de Janeiro : IBGE, 2021. Available at https://www.ibge.gov.br/en/statistics/social/health/16840-national-survey-of-health.html?=&t=resultados (last accessed 04.04.23) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Overweight/obesity by education
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 18,656 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/2017-18#data-download. Accessed 30.09.21. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 21000 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/2017-18#data-download. Accessed 30.09.21. |
Notes: | Around 32% of those measured in 2017 did not have height & weight measured, they self-reported |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 14561 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 14561 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey, 2014-15 First Results. Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4364.0.55.001Appendix22014-15?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=4364.0.55.001&issue=2014-15&num=&view= (last accessed 27th September 2017) |
Notes: | Body Mass Index is derived from measured height and weight. In 2014-15, 26.8% of respondents aged 18 years and over did not have their height, weight or both measured. For these respondents, imputation was used to obtain height, weight and BMI scores. For more information see Appendix 2: Physical measurements in the National Health Survey. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15. Data available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4364.0.55.0012014-15?OpenDocument. Accessed 30.09.21. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 12869 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | O'Dea JA, Dibley MJ. Prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012. Int J Public Health. 2014 Oct;59(5):819-28. doi: 10.1007/s00038-014-0605-3. Epub 2014 Sep 5. |
Notes: | International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) 0.5 year body mass index (BMI) cutoffs used. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2007
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 4487 |
References: | Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey - Main Findings. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia |
Notes: | IOTF International Cut off points applied. Regional Data |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 21000 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/2017-18#data-download. Accessed 30.09.21. |
Notes: | Around 32% of those measured in 2017 did not have height & weight measured, they self-reported |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease Australian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease Australian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Notes: | Remoteness area uses Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure, 2016 (ABS 2018b). Excludes very remote areas of Australia. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Notes: | Remoteness area uses Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure, 2016 (ABS 2018b). Excludes very remote areas of Australia. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Notes: | Remoteness area uses Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure, 2016 (ABS 2018b). Excludes very remote areas of Australia. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017). A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. (Uses data from Australian National Health Survey 2014-15). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/a-picture-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-australia/summary. Accessed: 30.09.21 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017). A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. (Uses data from Australian National Health Survey 2014-15). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/a-picture-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-australia/summary. Accessed: 30.09.21 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017). A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. (Uses data from Australian National Health Survey 2014-15). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/a-picture-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-australia/summary. Accessed: 30.09.21 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 18,656 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/2017-18#data-download. Accessed 30.09.21. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 14561 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 14561 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Health Survey First Results 2014-15 (http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf last accessed 4th January 2017) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney diseaseAustralian facts: Risk factors. Cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic kidney disease series no. 4. Cat. no. CDK 4. Canberra: AIHW. ABS 2013a. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for chronic diseases, 2011–12. ABS. cat. no. 4364.0.55.005. Canberra: ABS. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Notes: | Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2016 (SEIFA 2016), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) (ABS 2018c). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. "This index ranks areas on a continuum from most disadvantaged to least disadvantaged. A low score on this index indicates a high proportion of relatively disadvantaged people in an area. We cannot conclude that an area with a very high score has a large proportion of relatively advantaged people, as there are no variables in the index to indicate this. We can only conclude that such an area has a relatively low incidence of disadvantage." |
Definitions: | Group 1: Most disadvantaged areas Group 5: Least disadvantaged areas |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Notes: | Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2016 (SEIFA 2016), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) (ABS 2018c). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. "This index ranks areas on a continuum from most disadvantaged to least disadvantaged. A low score on this index indicates a high proportion of relatively disadvantaged people in an area. We cannot conclude that an area with a very high score has a large proportion of relatively advantaged people, as there are no variables in the index to indicate this. We can only conclude that such an area has a relatively low incidence of disadvantage." |
Definitions: | Group 1: Most disadvantaged areas Group 5: Least disadvantaged areas |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 3769 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian National Health Survey 2017-18 Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#chronic-conditions (accessed 27.10.2022) |
Notes: | Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2016 (SEIFA 2016), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) (ABS 2018c). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. "This index ranks areas on a continuum from most disadvantaged to least disadvantaged. A low score on this index indicates a high proportion of relatively disadvantaged people in an area. We cannot conclude that an area with a very high score has a large proportion of relatively advantaged people, as there are no variables in the index to indicate this. We can only conclude that such an area has a relatively low incidence of disadvantage." |
Definitions: | Group 1: Most disadvantaged areas Group 5: Least disadvantaged areas |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017). A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. (Uses data from Australian National Health Survey 2014-15). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/a-picture-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-australia/summary. Accessed: 30.09.21 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017). A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. (Uses data from Australian National Health Survey 2014-15). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/a-picture-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-australia/summary. Accessed: 30.09.21 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 4639 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017). A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. (Uses data from Australian National Health Survey 2014-15). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/a-picture-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-australia/summary. Accessed: 30.09.21 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-18 |
Sample size: | 12869 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | O'Dea JA, Dibley MJ. Prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012. Int J Public Health. 2014 Oct;59(5):819-28. doi: 10.1007/s00038-014-0605-3. Epub 2014 Sep 5. |
Notes: | International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) 0.5 year body mass index (BMI) cutoffs used. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by ethnicity
Ethnic groups are as defined by publication of origin and are not as defined by WOF. In some instances ethnicity is conflated with nationality and/or race.
Men, 2011
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 16,044 |
References: | Menigoz, Karen, et al. “Ethnic Differences in Overweight and Obesity and the Influence of Acculturation on Immigrant Bodyweight: Evidence from a National Sample of Australian Adults.” BMC Public Health, vol. 16, no. 1, 5 Sept. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011908/, 10.1186/s12889-016-3608-6. Accessed 30 Sept. 2021. |
Definitions: | Country of birth |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2011
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 16,044 |
References: | Menigoz, Karen, et al. “Ethnic Differences in Overweight and Obesity and the Influence of Acculturation on Immigrant Bodyweight: Evidence from a National Sample of Australian Adults.” BMC Public Health, vol. 16, no. 1, 5 Sept. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011908/, 10.1186/s12889-016-3608-6. Accessed 30 Sept. 2021. |
Definitions: | Country of birth |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-18 |
Sample size: | 12869 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | O'Dea JA, Dibley MJ. Prevalence of obesity, overweight and thinness in Australian children and adolescents by socioeconomic status and ethnic/cultural group in 2006 and 2012. Int J Public Health. 2014 Oct;59(5):819-28. doi: 10.1007/s00038-014-0605-3. Epub 2014. Accessed 30.09.21. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Children, 2016
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2016
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2016
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21) |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Children, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2020
Age: | 20+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2035 |
Definitions: | Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2021
Age: | 20-79 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, % |
Adults, 2019
Age: | 20-79 |
References: | Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. Brussels,Belgium: 2019. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Adults, 2017
References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Economic impact of overweight and obesity
Policies, Interventions and Actions
Contextual factors
Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.
Labelling
Is there mandatory nutrition labelling? | Present |
Front-of-package labelling? | Present-(voluntary) |
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration? | Present |
Color coding? | Absent |
Warning label? | Absent |
Regulation and marketing
Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products? | Absent |
Tax on unhealthy foods? | Absent |
Tax on unhealthy drinks? | Absent |
Are there fiscal policies on healthy products? | Present |
Subsidy on fruits? | Present |
Subsidy on vegetables? | Present |
Subsidy on other healthy products? | Present |
Mandatory limit or ban of trans fat (all settings)? | Absent |
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? | Absent |
Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)? | Absent |
Are there any mandatory policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children? | Absent |
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media? | Absent |
Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media? | Absent |
Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children? | Present-(voluntary) |
Are there mandatory standards for food in schools? | Absent |
Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products? | Absent |
Nutrition standards for public sector procurement? | Absent |
Political will and support
National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy? | Present |
National obesity strategy? | Present |
National childhood obesity strategy? | Absent |
Comprehensive nutrition strategy? | Present |
Comprehensive physical activity strategy? | Present |
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs? | Present |
National target(s) on reducing obesity? | Present |
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment? | Present |
Promotion of breastfeeding? | Present |
Monitoring and surveillance
Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors? | Present |
Within 5 years? | Present |
Governance and resource
Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)? | Present |
Key
Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown
Last updated September 13, 2022
Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions